Greater use of bullet-resistant vests and stun guns helped reduce police deaths in 2008 compared with the previous year, two law enforcement support groups report. The states with the most deaths were Texas with 14, followed by California with 12, then Florida and Pennsylvania with eight each. The figures, which covered deaths through Sunday, were reported by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Concerns of Police Survivors. ...more

December 30, 2008

With the need greater than ever, Pasco deputies and their community allies stepped up their efforts to supply holiday food baskets to needy families. "We went from 400 baskets last year to about 440 this year," Cpl. Dan Dede from the Sheriff's Office citizens support services group announced. He hopes to collect even more next year. ...more

December 27, 2008

Abby was just doing her job Sunday night, but the 20-month-old bloodhound was rewarded for finding a Westchase father and his young daughter who got lost in the woods. ...more

December 16, 2008

A Westchase father and his young daughter were found Sunday night by a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office bloodhound after the two had been reported missing, Hillsborough County deputies say. "They apparently got lost in the woods, and our bloodhound Abby tracked to them," a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office news release states. "They are cold, but safe." ...more

December 15, 2008

The state says a St. Petersburg police officer's actions in the shooting death in November of 46-year-old Roberto Garcia Lara were the "lawful performance of his legal duties." ...more

December 15, 2008